Naren's indie round-up/ July 2022, Ep 2

BY NARENDRA KUSNUR

Lydian Nadhaswaram feat Dave Weckl & Rajhesh Vaidhya/ Spark-Plug 

Label: Self-released 

Rating: *****

Indian jazz and fusion fans have been long awaiting the release of 16-year-old prodigy Lydian Nadhaswaram's debut album Chromatic Grammatic, featuring a host of Indian and international maestros. The first single 'Spark-Plug' is now out, and joining Lydian are renowned American drummer Dave Weckl and veena wizard Rajhesh Vaidhya.

It's a beauty of a track, seven minutes long and shot from different locations in black n' white. It's filled with manic energy, virtuoso musicianship, surprise time signature changes, sudden tempo shifts and sheer genius. Lydian is known for playing the piano, and he does that with natural flair. But here he simultaneously plays the bass, and is bang-on. He's also a fantastic drummer but that job is taken by Weckl, one of the greatest drummers in the modern era, best known for his work with the Chick Corea Elektric Band.

And there's Vaidhya, totally immersed in his astounding veena-playing, pushing the boundaries effortlessly. Indeed, this is a fantastic beginning to what promises to be a great album, hopefully one which will emulate the best in Indo-jazz.

Tauseef Akhtar/ Thokron Se Gham-E-Duniya Ki

Label: Self-released 

Rating; *****

One of the most talented ghazal singers today, Tauseef Akhtar recently released his album Irshaad, containing live recordings. 'Thokron Se Gham-E-Duniya Ki', shot in The Music Room, Wembley, London, is the third video from the album.

Composed by Tauseef in Bhairavi, this is one of the most brilliant ghazals released in recent memory. Baqir Abbas' flute plays a dominant role, with Shahbaz Hussain's tabla, Rehaan Akhtar's guitar and Siher Nikzad's harmonium that add the right flourish.

Tauseef's presentation and Shamim Jaipuri's traditional poetry style take the song to another level. Couplets like "Meri qismat ki jo khushiyan ho woh sab tu le le, bas mujhe apne kaleje se lagaaye rakhiyo" and "Mujhko gairon ka har ek zulm gawaara lekin, mere Allah ab apnon se bachaaye rakhiyo" are simply wow, taking you back to the 1980s when ghazals were at their peak.

Paulami Deshmukh/ Pratiksha

Label: Self-released 

Rating: ****

This composition is in the rare and relatively recent raag Bhoopeshwari, and reflects a sense of longing, waiting and pathos. Over eight minutes, Paulami Deshmukh does justice to 'Pratiksha', with her mellifluous voice, good sense of technique and subtle expression.

Equally effective is Yash Soman's arrangement, using keyboards, strings, sitar, bansuri and percussion. The lyrics are written by Paulami, who's also composed the song. They begin, "More jghar aa re preetam pyaare, jugan ka biraha, jugan ki giraha, aa ke suljha ja re".

Devdatta Kashalkar's video, using a forest backdrop, features Paulami with a tanpura. It's a very classy and well-done effort.

Gippy Grewal/ Mutiyare Ni

Label: Humble Music/ Believe India

Rating: ***

A popular name on the Punjabi music circuit for a decade, Gippy Grewal has had successful collaborations with Yo Yo Honey Singh on 'Angreji Beat' and Badshah on 'Oscar'. He was also part of Tanishq Bagchi's 'The Punjabban Song' in this year's film release Jugjugg Jeeyo. 

Gippy is now out with his new solo release 'Mutiyare Ni'. It's a routine number, about a man appreciating a woman's beauty and expressingpl his love. Though there's little new about Avvy Sra's music or Happy Raikoti's lyrics, there's a certain simplicity about the tune that should attract Gippy's fans.

The video, by 10 + 1 Creations, has very Bollywood-styled choreography. Gippy is seen with pretty Ukranian model Olya Kryvenda. They look good together. Maybe one can expect more 'Views' than 'Listens'.

Mahesh Kale feat Rohan Puntambekar/ Vitthal Mauli

Label: Times Spiritual 

Rating: ****

To mark Ashadhi Ekadashi on July 10, singer Mahesh Kale and composer Rohan Puntambekar have released 'Vitthal Mauli'. It is a Marathi abhang with lyrics by Shridhar Bhave.

Dedicated to Lord Vitthal of Pandharpur, Rohan's composition has subtle energy, with Mahesh's voice doing good justice. There's good use of bansuri, and the rhythm arrangement stands out, with tabla, pakhawaj, manjira, chimte and bagal bacha (yes, there is an instrument by that name).

The video, directed by Rohan himself, alternates studio recording footage with shots of warkaris (Vitthal devotees) on their journey to Pandharpur. If we've heard abhangs by legendary poets like Tukaram and Namdev, it's a welcome sign that the new generation is creating material in the genre.